Traci Lee Dunekack Carlen
Traci Lee Dunekack Carlen passed away on April 4 after a very courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She was 57. Born in North Plainfield, she moved to Kearny 27 years ago.
Visiting will be on Wednesday, April 8, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny.
Traci was a secretary for the Kearny Board of Education working mostly in Lincoln and Schuyler Schools. She loved the beach and everything “flip flop!”
She is survived by a very adoring family: her husband Paul, her children Eric (Mariana), Kevin and Jaime Carlen, her sisters and brother Tammi Nishimura, Bruce Dunekack and Toni Campbell and her beloved grandchildren Kaelyn, Kylee and Keira. Traci was the daughter of the late Bruce and Mary (nee Sullivan) Dunekack. She is also survived many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Michael Leiner
Michael Leiner, 48, of Milford, Pa., died March 29 at the Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, N.Y.
Born in Jersey City, he lived in Kearny and North Arlington before moving to Pennsylvania in 2005. He was a 1984 graduate of Kearny High School.
He worked as a carpenter for 15 years for Aanensen Kitchen and Cabinets in Kearny. He was the beloved husband of Darlene E. (nee Bower), the adored father of Kaitlyn E. Leiner, the dear son of the late John and Lorna Leiner was the cherished brother of John N. Leiner, Maureen L. Bunnell and her husband Jim, and Tim Leiner and his wife Martha, and the loving uncle of many loving nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held on April 2 at the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Road, North Arlington, followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Laura Elaine Romaniak
Laura Elaine Romaniak died April 1. She was 84. She lived most of her life in Kearny before retiring to Whiting.
Arrangements are by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 7, at 10 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, and burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Laura is survived by her children and their spouses Elaine and Robert Buchs, Barbara Urban (late Richard), John and Gloria Romaniak, Charles Romaniak, Mark and Rose Romaniak and Paul and Jennifer Romaniak. She was the sister of John L. Chatellier, Donald Chatellier, Jeannette Payne and Barbara Syme, 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
To view Laura’s entire obituary please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.
Martin James Ryan
Martin James Ryan died April 4 at Chatham Hill Care Center. He was 78.
Born in Harrison, he lived in Kearny before retiring to Forked River.
Visiting will be on Tuesday, April 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Church and entombment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. www.armitagewiggins.com
Martin was a senior systems operator at PSE&G and was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Harrison and Forked River councils. He was a Navy veteran and a member of The Old Guard and The Elks.
Husband of Catherine (nee Zilinick), he is also survived by his children and their spouses Michelle and Dennis Bellog and Patrick and Jacqueline Ryan. Martin was the brother of Edward Ryan and Irene Bodendorf and cousin of Robert Kittredge. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sara, Ryan, Joseph, Ashley and James.
Rebecca VanDyke
Rebecca VanDyke entered into eternal life on March 28 at home in Elizabeth. She was 83.
Arrangements were by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny. www.armitagewiggins.com
A memorial Mass was held at St. John’s Church in Newark.
Rebecca was a very spiritual person and beloved in the deaf community of St. John’s.
